Thanks from across the pond
 

A big thanks from the mum of a British squaddie who was "fast jet evacuated" earlier this week by one of your B10 bombers out of extremely hostile territory. Ok, not quite a jet, but I don't think he was going to quibble! Alternative was a 2 day tab out of badlands which may not have ended well. Great flying by the stars and stripes (B10 hooked up to a balloon with the patrol hanging on the end).

:) :)

Madam:

Either you are confused, or someone appears to have been making up stories.

The B10 last flew in the 1920s, IIRC, the extraction you describe lifts only one person at the time, the system was never installed on any bombers, and it has not been used since the late 80s/early '90s.

TR

COL Kirby is at work again!

Sir,

It is possible I've misheard the type of plane because I don't know American planes very well and, in that event, I apologise. It wasn't a chopper but neither was it a fast jet but definitely was American.

However it was 4 men in one go involving harnesses and a balloon. I could even tell you exactly where and when this happened but, naturally with OPSEC, I can't. He had a broken wrist at the time too. I also know that they did this on exercise this year with 5 men all linked to the one cable.

This type of exfiltration is certainly used over here with a definite distinction between choppers and fast jet extractions.

You no longer do HALO over there nor, I believe, does your airforce do low level attacks below 250ft. But we still do over here.

And, sir, my son doesn't make up stories... he doesn't need to. I could tell you things he has done that would perhaps warrant being dismissed as "stories" (although they aren't) but why bother? I'm not just some starry-eyed mother - I know who he works with and what he does for a fact. (Most of the time, it frightens the life out of me.)

All I wanted to do was say thank you!

You may also be interested to know (or perhaps not) that he has an open invitation to join your Delta lads whenever he chooses.

Ma'am:

You are very welcome, wherever you get your info.

If you are referring to the Fulton Extraction system, or Skyhook, it is not possible with a helicopter, or a fast mover. IIRC, the only aircraft in the US inventory which was formerly rigged for Fulton Extraction was not a bomber, but the C-130 Hercules cargo plane. The MC-130E specifically. It has never been configured for multiple personnel extraction, and the last time it was tested with live passengers, it killed so many that they stopped the test early. Maybe you have some other variant of the system that also uses a balloon and a cable recovery system. I only have a few hours in freefall, but that is one ride I do not care to make.

You are misinformed on what we do not do here as well, but that is of little consequence. Have a very nice evening regardless.

TR

Of course he does!

Terry

Sir

Thank you, I'm about to go to bed; it's very late over here.

Whatever variant we use, this was definitely a multiple extraction and an American plane. He's home in a couple of week so I'll try to find out more then and, if you're in any way interested, I'll let you know. If it helps decide which type of plane, the gun was taken off the front to be replaced by the extraction hook. Beyond that, my knowledge of planes is fairly limited. Your politeness is a credit to you although I would suggest that perhaps there are things happening out there that you don't know about.

And Terry, not only him but all of the specialised unit he beongs to. Your cynicism is not very credit-worthy. Perhaps you don't realise how much your SF and ours work together! Read some Rumsfeld reports.

Well, Mum, perhaps I was a bit hasty. I will withdraw my remarks if you will post up some war stories, being ever mindful of OPSEC/PERSEC.

Deal?

Terry

Mrs. TwoShoes:

Maybe it is losing something in translation and he could log on to tell us the details himself when he returns?

Always eager to learn something new.

TR

Terry, I just PM'ed you. But I'll repeat something I said in that PM. Basra, Iraq a few months ago: UK media (not sure about American) reported 2 SAS held in an Iraqi policestation and then handed over to insurgents. British forces stormed the policestation. A riot happened outside and there were some dreadful pictures of our armoured vehicles being petrol-bombed. Our forces quickly found the 2 who had been moved to a house in Basra. They weren't SAS though, they were SBS who had blown their cover. My son was flown out. He lost a good friend that day. Afterwards, a major brawl ensued in the SF accomm between the SAS and the SBS because of this loss. Whenever any British SF are involved, the media always says it's the SAS!

I used to go out with an SBS bloke in my younger, wilder days. He was a total nutter.

Because of OPSEC, it's very difficult to say anything much.

TR, he rarely comes online when he's home because he spends the whole time shagging, sleeping and eating. But I'll find out what I can. He'll probably slap me for what I've already said though. You're right that there could be something lost in translation although I know that hasn't happened about the multiple extraction (which he's done before) and the American plane. Did the gun on the front say anything to you?

Understood.

We have an A10, a slow flying jet with a cannon under the nose, maybe that was what he said?

TR

Mr Reaper

The 'slow flying jet' part sounds about right. It wasn't a chopper because he said plane but he was disappointed that it wasn't a fast jet, so it was clearly something in between.

Would this A10 have the capability of this kind of extraction? I don't know if the blokes are usually winched up or if they just hang on and then drop off. He often seems to jump (parachute-less although he's airbourne too) from some great heights. Do you think they would be winched up routinely in which case the A10 would need to have a suitable hatch underneath? If there are any SF pilots out there, couldn't you ask around to see who did this extraction this week? I would really like to personally thank them.

I know a bit about British planes because I used to work in Gibraltar which had the RAF based out there but I'm an idiot when it comes to anyone else's airforces.

Talking of jumping from great heights, during his recent leave he jumped from a girl's 2nd floor window the next morning as her parents were waking up. He apparently left two very large heel marks in the lawn. He's a bit of a naughty boy with the girls!

:D

You may laugh but I'm the one that has to deal with the tears and phone calls when each one finds out she's "not the only one", usually when he's out of the country!

The boy is a slut, plain and simple. He's more likely to die from some dreadful sexual disease than from an op. Or some mad bunny boiler will stab him one day. When it comes to his women, I despair!